Paramedic Paul Cary passes in New York City

April 27, 2020   Retired Aurora, Colo. Fire Department Paramedic/firefighter Paul Cary recently died after contracting COVID-19 while working as an ambulance strike team paramedic in New York City. 

Paul was part of Ambulnz’s State of New York COVID Response team who volunteered for assignment at the epicenter of the COVID-19 pandemic in New York City. Paul's career is best defined by his kindness and service to others during his time as a Paramedic at Ambulnz, and before that as a Firefighter/Paramedic of more than 30 years with the Aurora, Colorado Fire Department. 

Paul made the ultimate sacrifice for his country and will forever be remembered as extremely dependable and completely devoted to his work.    

He is survived by two sons and four grandchildren. Paul’s family has requested privacy during their time of grief.

Funeral details are forthcoming.  On behalf of the entire Ambulnz family, we want to thank our extended family, the New York Department of Health, Fire Department of New York, and the AMR led FEMA response partnership.

Ambulanz has established the Ambulnz Memorial Fund to provide college tuition for Paul’s four grandchildren.  If you wish to make a donation to this fund in Paul’s memory, please email Ari Matityahu for details at [email protected]

 

 

Fire/EMS Procession Sunday, May 3

 

Story and photographs by Howard Paul. ©2020.

Denver, May 4, 2020.   80 emergency vehicles escorted the remains of Paramedic Paul Cary from Denver International Airport, Sunday. The procession wound from DIA to University Hospital, on past The Medical Center of Aurora to Olinger Hampden Mortuary & Cemetery in southeast Denver.

Paul had volunteered to serve as a paramedic with Ambulanz, which had contracted with FEMA to supply ambulances and crews to assist the Fire Department of New York. The COVID-19 pandemic doubled FDNY’s EMS call volume.

Paul contracted COVID-19 while in New York City and passed away April 30th. He had signed on for a second 30-day Ambulanz tour before he became ill.

Paul was accompanied from New York City by Steve Dziura, Deputy Director of the New York State Bureau of EMS & Trauma Systems and Donald Trazepacz, Jr. District Chief / Investigator, New York State Bureau of EMS & Trauma Systems.

Ambulanz’ Colorado crews are ready to lead the procession from Denver International Airport.

 

The leading one-third of the procession staged near Denver international Airport’s gate #1.

 

As the sun sets, EMS professionals from Action Care Ambulance await the procession to start near Denver International Airport's gate #1.

 

(L-R) Paramedic David Fending, Mountain States EMS, University of Colorado Police Department officers and Action Medical employees watch the 9News live aerial coverage of the coffin being removed from the United Airlines jet that transported Paul Cary’s remains.

 

Aurora Police Department Officer David Cook plays the pipes as the procession passed University Hospital in Aurora.

 


Kevin Hall, Monument, stood vigil as the Ambulanz ambulance arrived at Olinger Hampden Mortuary & Cemetery. Hall is married to Paul Cary’s niece.

 

An Aurora Fire Department truck company at the entrance to the cemetery. AFD and Denver Fire Department aerial ladders flanked the entrance, with a large American flag suspended between them.

 

Paramedic Paul Cary’s last ambulance transport, from Denver International Airport.

 

Donald Trazepacz, Jr., District Chief/Investigator, New York State Bureau of EMS & Trauma Systems, offered the gracious condolences of the State of New York and New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio. He also extended the overwhelming thanks of New York City to Paul's family, to all of Colorado EMS and to the entire state of Colorado.

 

 David Fending, R, was Paul Cary’s paramedic instructor. He was one of the hundreds of EMTs, paramedics, nurses and flight crews, firefighters, police officers and other emergency responders that participated in the procession or lined the route from Denver International Airport.

 

Falck-Colorado and Stadium Medical employees pay their last respects to Paul Cary. To the right is an American flag presented by the Fire Department of New York.

 

A moving New York City processional tribute to Paul in New York City in this video.